Conservation and restoration of metal artefacts
1402-KZM-4L-SJ
Workshop 1: Presentation of the rules for passing the course, health and safety at work. Demonstration of the workshop teaching materials, enabling recognition of the metal grade and manufacturing technique. Discussion of possible tests.
Class 2-3: Abbreviated methodology exercises covering the basic activities and conservation knowledge concerning the conservation of metal monuments.
Topics concentrated on the issues of layer removal, chemical patination (depending on the monument), anti-corrosive protection of monuments made of carbon iron alloys and copper alloys, based on conservation issues of individual metal monuments or applied crafts from museum collections (e.g. archaeological monuments, artistic or applied crafts).
Class 4-15: Conservation of metal monuments:
Performing simple conservation activities. Teaching the individual approach to the monument and solving various conservation dilemmas. To familiarise with methods of corrosion protection, stabilisation of corrosion processes and the use of inhibitors, as well as the conditions and methods of storing monuments.
Self-directed work under the direction of the instructor:
Conservation documentation: Inventory of historical objects with emphasis on the identification of the material and manufacturing technique, formal description and state of preservation, with particular emphasis on corrosion processes, layering and the condition of the metallic core, development of a conservation treatment programme, completion of photographic documentation.
It is possible to work off an absence during a tutor's duty by appointment.
Total student workload
Hours spent with the participation of teachers:
- participation in the laboratory: 45 hrs (2.5 ECTS)
Time spent on individual student work - total 15 hrs (0.5 ECTS):
- literature reading: 10 hrs
- familiarisation with the materials available online: 2 hrs.
- preparation of documentation: 5 hrs
Total: 60 hrs (3 ECTS credits)
Learning outcomes - knowledge
- W1: has basic theoretical and practical knowledge of the methodology of conservation activities in the field of metal antiquities (in accordance with K_W04),
- W2: knows the basic mechanisms of physical, chemical and biological effects of environmental factors on metal antiquities (in accordance with K_W05),
- W3: has basic knowledge of material science of antique metals and historical and contemporary conservation materials used in their conservation (in accordance with K_W06),
- W4: has basic knowledge of ancient metalwork techniques (in accordance with K_W09).
Learning outcomes - skills
- U1: is able to correctly determine the state of preservation and the causes of damage to metal monuments (in accordance with K_U01),
- U2: is able to recognise and describe the technical structure of metal monuments (in accordance with K_U02),
- U3: is able to determine the main and specific objectives for the implementation of the conservation task, taking into account the cultural context of the metal monument (K_U03),
- U4: has the ability to use conservation, technological knowledge and basic knowledge of humanities and natural sciences for the preparation of a conservation project of a metal monument (in accordance with K_U04),
- U5: independently performs conservation and restoration procedures on a metal monument (in accordance with K_U05),
- U6: is able to determine the basic principles of prevention and minimisation of the destructive impact of physical, chemical and biological environmental factors on metal monuments (in accordance with K_U06),
- U7: independently performs research documentation of a metal monument (in accordance with K_U07),
- U8: is able to plan, interpret and relate the basic chemical and physical findings of a metal object to conservation and technological studies using knowledge of ancient and contemporary techniques and workshop traditions (in accordance with K_U08),
- U9: is able to develop comprehensive conservation documentation of a metal monument (in accordance with K_U09),
- U10: recognises types of metalwork techniques (in accordance with K_U10),
- U11: uses skills and knowledge of ancient and contemporary metalwork technologies and techniques in conservation and restoration works (in accordance with K_U13),
- U12: is able to use his/her artistic skills and apply knowledge from the area of plastic arts in conservation and restoration works on a metal monument (in accordance with K_U14),
- U13: is prepared to cooperate with other people in teamwork (in accordance with K_U17)
Learning outcomes - social competencies
- K1: is aware of the significance of the value (artistic, historical, emotional, etc.) of works of art and monuments made of metal, their irreproducibility and the obligation to respect them in the process of conservation-restoration (in accordance with K_K01),
- K2: is aware of the importance of professionalism and the necessity to respect the principles of professional ethics (in accordance with K-K02),
- K3: is aware and understands the effects of conservation actions, their impact on a work of art or a monument made of metal and is aware of the related responsibility for decisions taken (in accordance with K_K03),
- K4: is aware of and understands the necessity to take into account the cultural context of a work of art and a metal monument in conservation decisions (in accordance with K_K04),
- K5: knows the limitations of his/her own knowledge and skills, understands the need for further education and the need to involve specialists from other fields in solving particularly complex issues (in accordance with K_K05).
Teaching methods
Expository didactic methods:
- demonstration
- exhibition (determination of the workmanship technique and the conservation status of the monument object)
Indicative didactic methods:
- description
- chat
Exploratory didactic methods:
- exercise
- experience
- classic problem method
- observation
- project
- case study
(conservation assumptions and determining the methodology of conservation procedures, proposing a conservation project for the assigned historical object, describing the workmanship technique, the state of preservation, the course of conservation work as part of the conservation documentation, making tests to select conservation materials, carrying out conservation procedures)
Observation/demonstration teaching methods
- exhibition
- display
Expository teaching methods
- discussion
- description
Exploratory teaching methods
- practical
- project work
- observation
- case study
- classic problem-solving
- experimental
Type of course
compulsory course
Prerequisites
Knowledge of materials science of metals, corrosion processes and their preservation in the scope of the lecture "Preservation of metals"
Course coordinators
Term 2024/25L: | Term 2023/24L: | Term 2022/23L: |
Practical placement
Bibliography
Compulsory literature (selected excerpts):
- Stone and metal monuments, their destruction and preventive conservation, ed. by Wiesław Domasłowski. Toruń: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, 2011.
- Gradowski Michał. Old goldsmithing. Technika i terminologia. Warsaw: PWN, 1984
Supplementary literature (selected excerpts):
- Krause Janusz. The use of tannin to stabilise corrosion processes in antique iron objects with a minimum degree of preservation of the metallic core part 1, AUNC, Zabytkoznawstwo i konserwatorstwo XIV, Humanities and Social Sciences, z.189, 1989, pp.143-164.
- Tomaszewska-Szewczyk Alina. Glass painted. Problematyka konserwatorska emalierstwa. Toruń: Wydawnictwo Naukowe UMK, 2021.
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors,
localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: